Pūrena koa - Behind the weave

As water is the source of life, this design story describes the flow  of vitality and life essence from its source, ever-reaching further across the lands through rivers and streams that connect land and sea.

Pūrena koa serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness,  of fluid movement across changing environments and seasons.  To be well, and bring wellness to all we encounter on our journeys

“Whakakīa taku ipu ki te wai, pūrena koa…”

Fill my calabash with water, that it runneth over.

Pūrena koa - an exclamation of overflowing vitality, of abundant life.

This design reflects the cycle and flow of Parawhenuamea, the atua associated with freshwater: springs, streams and rivers. An ode to the life-giving properties of water. From its source to the tributaries that flow from land to ocean, symbolic of the many parallels we can draw from as guiding principles for our own journey through life.

Parawhenuamea embodies the flow of vitality and life essence: an ever present reminder of our innate connectedness, fluidity and movement within our environments and seasons. She is a provider, a healer, a powerful symbol of restoration, peace and perpetuity.

From the depths of the earth water wells up ever-reaching toward the surface, toward the light from caverns of darkness and unseen journeys. Parawhenuamea rises up and through alluvium, invigorating the landscape and the people. Widening at the confluence of streams and inlets, she surges and widens over undulating hillsides and deep valleys, unimpeded by obstacles or debris, Parawhenuamea forces through ravines, carving a new path into solid bedrock, stretching across plains and wetlands to the beckoning harbours and estuaries that bid their final farewell before the once-bubling-springwater of the mountains meets the salty embrace of the sea. 

Parawhenuamea is perpetual energy in motion: flowing, adjusting, abiding, whether as a trickle or raging river, moving gently or with relentless force. Water shapes mountains, and carves through land, and this design is a reminder that our path is ours to define. 

A personal revelation, wading into the restorative rivers of life 

The trail to our river, Te Awa o Waimapu, leads us deep into the valley, the voice of Parawhenuamea beckoning from afar, growing louder as we approach. Hot and heavy laden, she invites all within the immensity of her deep green, blue, clear waters that seem to flow on forever in a rhythm that echoes across the environment. The land responds in harmonious bird song and the murmur of cicadas. I wade into her waters, my breath shortens as she tests my sensitivities - I succumb, plunging into the unknown, a baptism of faith. 

Instantly, Parawhenuamea drowns out the noise of life’s busyness, even time is rendered obsolete here, submerged within the river's depths. I feel her vast power push and pull me, an undeniable force and a stout reminder that I am not always in control. I welcome it with sweet surrender. Fully enveloped, immersed, engulfed. She is all encompassing, bearing all of my weight and worries. The sudden sense of relief is almost overwhelming, as freedom seems to permeate every part of me, my soul finally finds respite. Released from its inhibitions, I float, weightless - present. I feel again. Everything, and nothing simultaneously as I’m carried in her calming embrace, restored and renewed. 

I emerge rejuvenated, cleansed from within, cool, calm, and humbled by her grace that lingers upon me as drops of water caressing my skin - I breathe in the vitality of life!

Within this design story, pūrena koa is an exclamation of vitality, of overflowing abundant life that is available to us, always. Like Parawhenuamea, this design exemplifies resilience, recovery, realignment and restoration.

Mai ngā kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa

Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au

From the mountains to the sea,

I am the river and the river is me

We are like the waters of the earth. Shapeshifting and fluid, a calm, powerful and vital force. Paradoxically, embedded in Pūrena koa is the unwavering conviction we must have in our approach to protecting our peace and purpose. To not just exist, but actively participate in the wonder of life. To be well, and bring wellness and vitality to all we encounter on our journey to the sea and beyond te pae moana, the ocean’s horizon.

Design notes

While rivers carve their own path, the many landscapes of our natural environment influence the flow of water in the ways that it twists and turns, presents obstacles, challenges and changes in terrain - reflective of the pathways, states and forms we take and adapt to on our journey of life. Represented by the aronui pattern adorning the side borders, this blanket is an encouragement to ‘stay the course’, to remain steadfast and true to our core purpose through the many phases;  stillness, flow, regeneration, trials, solitude and celebration.

Ngā Pūwaiwaha embellishes the main border with the traditional waharua motif, reflecting the diverse environments and people we engage with that support our alignment and growth. The word ‘pūwaiwaha’ also describes a delta where a river slows and deposits ‘parakiwai’ (sediment, sand, silt, clay) before it enters a larger body of water like a lake or ocean. This transition slowly accumulates, building new fertile soil to sustain life while it branches into smaller channels and tributaries to continue its journey. 

The 'ngā pūwaiwaha' design acknowledges the collective benefit of interactions, events and experiences that allow (or gently force) us to slow down, cleanse, rejuvenate and replenish ourselves, resulting in new environments for seeds of change to flourish. A recognition of how events or decisions upstream affect the decisions, experiences and actions downstream.